Tag Archives: Pacific Cultures collection

A poetic response to a back of house tour for le vaiaso o le gagana Sāmoa (Samoan language week)

1 June 2013 – 8.18pm

Welcome to our final blog post for le vaiaso o le gagana Sāmoa (Samoan language week) for 2013.

In this blog, we feature a poem composed by Charles Niu, who visited the Pacific Cultures Collection during the back of house tours at Te Papa highlighting Samoa Language Week. We had an overwhelming response to the tours, and were fortunate to hear stories from our visitors such as Jerry Leaupepe who talked about his experiences fishing for sharks in Sāmoa. A big fa’afetai tele lava (thank you) to all those who made the time to visit, and to Charles for allowing us to share his poem on the blog.

Taoga Samoa

Inside us the dead write Albert W

Samoa, Samoana

Inside Te Papa Pasifika taoga

On the wall sits proudly Nifo’oti

Below the peacemaker

Kilikiki blade Pasifika Excalibur

Decorative Oceania Lapita motif

Ia Tonga ancient pure maiden art

Banner flags old school

Education the key so bold Rutherford

Sharks teeth tatau tap motif eternity

Kava bowl O Kawatanga koha dark light.

Matai ponder on cool wooden pillow.

Tapa cavern dark, burn brown, surf white Apia

Feather hibiscus red, brown and white

Mirror coin embellish,

Honoured Pasifika head

Vaka adze creation, rim customise art

Sinnet ornament bound outrigger

Tamaiti adze treasure hunt

Prize sweet lollies, Samoa history

Priceless.

Glossary

Taoga( Niue)…Treasure

O Kawatanga…(Māori) NZ Government

Koha(Māori)..gift

By Safua Akeli | Posted in Pacific | Also tagged | Comments (0)

Tokelau kie tau (fine mat) with an edge

1 November 2012 – 2.25pm

This week is the inaugural Tokelau Language Week (29 October – 4 November). The theme is Ke mau ki pale o Tokelau: Hold fast to the treasures of Tokelau. To celebrate, the Pacific Cultures team will post a blog each day highlighting cultural treasures from Tokelau in Te Papa’s collections.

Kie Tau (fine mat); FE010246; Purchased 1993 with New Zealand Lottery Grants Board funds; Te Papa

Kie Tau (fine mat); FE010246; Purchased 1993 with New Zealand Lottery Grants Board funds; Te Papa

For today’s blog, I would like to focus on this kie tau (fine mat) which was made around 1991 by Telesia Lino, Katalina Paselio, Maselina Pereira, Fetu Perez, Malia Sesale, Vito Koloi, Susana Koloi, Matalena Atonio, Valelia Lafaele, and Kolopa Isle. The makers were members of the Ko Fatu Paepae o Lower Hutt – a Tokelau weaving group based in Lower Hutt, Wellington.

Because of the combination of customary and synthetic materials used in the making of this kie tau, it was acquired by the museum to feature in the exhibition Traditional Arts of Pacific Island Women (1993). The main body of this kie is made from heavily processed lau kie (pandanus leaf), with a border pattern and decorative motifs in lau hulu (brown pandanus). Both varieties of pandanus were imported to New Zealand from Tokelau.

An interesting feature of this kie tau is the thick outer fringe made from synthetic material. It is very similar in appearance to the kanava bark fibre found in Tokelau, but it was actually obtained from packing case material from a car assembly plant in New Zealand. The kie tau measures 2000mm in length by 1510mm wide. Hand-woven fine mats like this are worn and presented at special occasions such as weddings, and continue to have a significant cultural role in Tokelauan communities, whether in New Zealand or in Tokelau.

By Safua Akeli | Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , | Comments (0)

Tongan ngatu (tapa cloth): a visual record

6 September 2012 – 1.13pm

As part of celebrating Tongan Language Week: Uike Kātonga’i ‘o e Lea Faka-Tonga (1-8 September) the Pacific Cultures team are highlighting some of the Tongan items in Te Papa’s collection. This is the  fourth blog in our series.

Tongan ngatu also known as tapa cloth is an important part of Tongan art and tradition. Te Papa’s collection of about 60 ngatu range in style and use. Some ngatu include symbols of the Tongan royal family, while another records the sighting of  Halley’s comet in 1910 (see below).

Ngatu (tapa cloth); FE012487; Purchased 2009; Te Papa

Ngatu (tapa cloth); FE012487; Purchased 2009; Te Papa

Other ngatu have  words and names inscribed on the cloth. These give us a clue about the people who were once associated with the ngatu. For example a ngatu dated 1932 has the name ‘Siaosi Taufa’ahau’  and images of cricket cups and the crest of Tupou College (see below). The name referred to the late King  Tāufa’āhau Tupou IV when he was a school boy at the College.

Ngatu (tapa cloth); FE008724; Gift of Valerie Morris, 1989; Te Papa

Ngatu (tapa cloth); FE008724; Gift of Valerie Morris, 1989; Te Papa

Another style of tapa cloth is called ngatu ‘uli (black tapa cloth) where the cloth is intensely dyed using candlenut soot, although other dyes are also applied. The ngatu ‘uli below has what appears to be a layer of red clay underneath the candlenut soot.  

Ngatu 'uli (black tapa cloth); FE010584; Te Papa

Ngatu ‘uli (black tapa cloth); FE010584; Te Papa

In 2009 for the exhibition Tapa: Pacific Style, Te Papa worked with the Otaota Fahina Society led by Reverend Sitili Tupouniua and his wife, Lolohea to film Tongan tapa-making in Auckland. To view some of the footage and interviews, click on the links below:

Watch Feletoa Fa’apoi making ngatu

Watch an interview with Lolohea Tupouniua

By Safua Akeli | Posted in Exhibitions, Pacific | Also tagged , , , , | Comments (1)

Mu’umu’u styles from a Cook Islands mama

8 August 2012 – 4.43pm

To celebrate Cook Islands language week (6 -10 August), the Pacific Cultures team are blogging about collection items from the Cook Islands.

Mu’umu’u (dress); FE012459; Purchased 2009; Te Papa

Mu’umu’u (dress); FE012459; Purchased 2009; Te Papa

These mu’umu’u (dress) are part of a number of dresses acquired by the Pacific Cultures collection in 2009 from Tepaeru Tereora. Tereora was the fifth National President for Pacific Allied (Women’s) Council Inspires Faith Ideals Concerning All Incorporation which was established in 1977. The mu’umu’u dresses were made for Mrs Tereora during her time as president by various branches of the P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A organisation.

Mu’umu’u (dress); FE012460; Purchased 2009; Te Papa

Mu’umu’u (dress); FE012460; Purchased 2009; Te Papa

The mu’umu’u or mother hubbard style dress was introduced by missionaries to the Cook Islands in the 1820s. For various reasons including ideas about modesty and the fashion trend, the mu’umu’u was adopted in the nineteenth century. Since its introduction, the mu’umu’u like those belonging to Tereora have become a vital part of Cook Islands fashion style.

View the Tales from Te Papa video featuring  Tepaeru Tereora:

Tales from Te Papa Series 2011, Episode 3 | P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A. Dresses

Unknown woman; B.028279; Crummer, George circa 1910 ; Te Papa

Unknown woman; B.028279; George Crummer, circa 1910 ; Te Papa

By Safua Akeli | Posted in Collections Online, Pacific, Photography, Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , | Comments (1)

Taku reo ko toku akairo: celebrating Cook Islands language week 2012

6 August 2012 – 4.24pm
Cloak; FE000628; Gift of Te Aia Mataiapo, 1872; Te Papa

Cloak; FE000628; Gift of Te Aia Mataiapo, 1872; Te Papa

To celebrate Cook Islands language week (6 -10 August), the Pacific Cultures team will be blogging about collection items from the Cook Islands. Language is a key element of culture and helps us give meaning to things we use and create in everyday life – from artworks to costume to performance and song. Keep an eye on the Te Papa blog over the next seven days, for insight into the language and culture of the Cook Islands!

A highlight of this week will be back of house tours of the Pacific Cultures Collection store room.

Dates: Wednesday 8 August 2012 and Friday 10 August 2012
Time: 12 noon
Meeting place: Front entrace foyer of the Museum of New Zealand  Te Papa Tongarewa

Bookings to be made to Grace Hutton on (04) 381 7221 or graceh@tepapa.govt.nz

For more information about Cook Islands language week, please view the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs website link below: http://www.mpia.govt.nz/celebrate-cook-islands-language-week-6-10-august-2012/

Read more about a Cook Islands dance costume in Te Papa’s collection: http://blog.tepapa.govt.nz/2010/03/26/dance-costume-cook-islands-style/

Meitaki Ma’ata!

By Safua Akeli | Posted in Collections Online, Pacific | Also tagged , , | Comments (0)
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 309 other followers